Hieromartyr
Hieromartyr Автоном Италийский
†нач. IV века
Hieromartyr Autonomus, Bishop of Italy — during the persecution of Emperor Diocletian he was forced to leave his diocese in Italy and settled in Bithynia, where he converted many pagans to Christ and built a church in honor of the Archangel Michael; he was killed by pagans while celebrating the Liturgy.
Hieromartyr Autonomus was a bishop in Italy. During the cruel persecution of Christians raised by Emperor Diocletian (284-305), he was forced to leave his diocese and settled in Bithynia (Asia Minor). There he zealously preached the Word of God, converting many pagans to Christ, founding a large Christian community, and building a church in honor of the Archistrategos Michael. While he was celebrating the Divine Liturgy in this church, pagans attacked the community, and Hieromartyr Autonomus was martyred right at the holy altar. His body was secretly buried by the deaconess Maria. His memory is kept on September 12/25.
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